Sony Wants to Buy Kadokawa and Their Employees Are Thrilled

Sony's proposed acquisition of Japanese conglomerate Kadokawa has sparked a wave of optimism among Kadokawa employees, despite potential concerns about loss of independence. This article explores the reasons behind their surprisingly positive outlook.

Sony and Kadokawa: Ongoing Acquisition Talks

Analyst: Acquisition More Beneficial for Sony

Sony's confirmed intention to acquire Kadokawa has been met with mixed reactions. While talks are ongoing, economic analyst Takahiro Suzuki, speaking to Weekly Bunshun, suggests the acquisition benefits Sony more significantly than Kadokawa. He posits that Sony, shifting its focus from electronics to entertainment, lacks the strong IP creation capabilities that Kadokawa possesses. Acquiring Kadokawa, with its extensive portfolio including titles like Oshi no Ko, Dungeon Meshi, and Elden Ring, would bolster Sony's entertainment division considerably.

However, this acquisition would place Kadokawa under Sony's direct control, potentially curtailing its independence. As Automaton West translates, concerns exist regarding stricter management and potential limitations on creative freedom, especially for projects not directly contributing to IP development.

Kadokawa Employees Express Optimism

Despite potential drawbacks, many Kadokawa employees reportedly welcome the acquisition. Interviews with Weekly Bunshun reveal a largely positive sentiment, with employees expressing a preference for Sony's acquisition, questioning "Why not Sony?"

This optimism is partly fueled by dissatisfaction with the current Natsuno administration. A veteran employee highlighted widespread employee discontent stemming from the administration's perceived inadequate response to a June cyberattack by the BlackSuit hacking group. This attack resulted in a massive data breach, including sensitive employee information, and the lack of a timely press conference further exacerbated the situation. Many believe a Sony acquisition could lead to a change in leadership, removing the current president.

The June cyberattack by BlackSuit compromised over 1.5 terabytes of data, including legal documents, user information, and employees' personal details. The perceived lack of effective response from President and CEO Takeshi Natsuno has contributed significantly to the employee dissatisfaction and fuels the positive sentiment surrounding a potential Sony takeover.